Y'S

ngers. The wait was almost over; I could barely contain my amusement. The silence was thick, broken

shuffle was unmistakable, and the hurried clatter of heels behind him told me

ble, neither daring to

fter all, you're my guests tonight. You

seat, and Julia followed

oft clink silencing him. "I didn't call you here for an

rted to him, panic flashing across

here to fight, and I'm certainly not here to

flew upward

for the right opportunity to do this, and you've just handed it to me on a silver platter. At least

as if it were a live grenade.

ge means nothing to you. So why should I cling to it? Consider this my gift to you bo

what to say. Gabriel, for once, was completely silent. It was th

I stood, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles from my dress. "I wish you both all the happiness in t

nce over my shoulder. "Enjoy your new life, Gabriel. I certainly i

ont door, I was smiling. Fre

***

newfound freedom. For the first time in five long years, I could finally breathe. Really breathe

riend Lilac's number. It rang twice before her familiar, sultry voice answ

d back against the seat. "I need a night

called the right person. Give me an hour

d. "I'll call Ariana and

lebrating. Alright, I'll see you there. And Ruby? We

to," I said, ending t

e picked up almost immedi

tting The Apex Club," I told her.

my language. I'll be there. And Ruby? It's a

he wasn't wrong. "See you toni

ned forward to the driver. "Take me

***

ightness in my chest, and I was sure the hotel staff could sense it too. I greeted the receptionist with a

ening, ma'am," she s

" I replied witho

open, I stepped out and made my way to the suite. Once inside, I dropped my bag on the b

hing to the imagination. The neckline plunged dangerously low, and the slit cl

working out. Looking at myself now, I wondered how he

a second skin. Turning to the mirror, I adjusted the strap

t on the dance floor. I left my fiery red hair to fall in loose waves around my shoulders. By the time I was finished, I

door. I didn't look back as I stepped into

hrough me. This was it-a new beginning, away from G